title: Behavioral mediators of treatment effects in the weight loss maintenance trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Weight Loss Maintenance Trial tested strategies for maintenance of weight loss. Personal contact was superior to interactive technology and self-directed conditions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to identify behavioral mediators of the superior effect of personal contact vs. interactive technology and of personal contact vs. self-directed arms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overweight/obese adults at risk for cardiovascular disease (n = 1,032) who lost at least 4 kg were randomized to personal contact, interactive technology, or self-directed. After 30 months, 880 participants had data on weight and behavioral strategies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reported increase of intake of fruits and vegetables and physical activity and more frequent self-weighing met criteria as mediators of the better outcome of personal contact vs. interactive technology. Increased intake of fruits and vegetables, more frequent self-weighing, and decreased dessert consumption were mediators of the difference between personal contact vs. self-directed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inducing changes in the identified behaviors might yield better outcomes in future weight loss maintenance trials.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Meyer 101, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA, jwilder3@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Coughlin
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gullion
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Brantley
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bauck
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Champagne
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Dalcin
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Funk
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Hollis
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Jerome
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Lien
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Loria
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Appel
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs